Thomas More Defending the Liberty of the House of Commons

Thomas More Defending the Liberty of the House of Commons, painting by Vivian Forbes, 1927, St. Stephen's Hall, English Parliament, London. ©The Palace of Westminster

Description

This mural is one of eight comprising the “Building of Great Britain” series in the entrance to Parliament. Beneath the painting the caption reads: Sir Thomas More as Speaker of the Commons in spite of Cardinal Wolsey's imperious demand refuses to grant King Henry the Eighth a subsidy without due debate by the House 1523.

More used an original method of rhetoric in this confrontation. Read the story here.